Keeping Your Pets Safe During Severe Weather in Fishkill and Poughkeepsie

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Great tips for keeping your pets safe during severe weather!

If you’re like most pet owners, you have an undeniable bond with the furry or feathered friend in your life. Naturally, as a conscientious pet parent, you want to be sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your pet safe and secure during difficult times.

Your pets should always be part of your emergency plan, and your emergency kit needs to include items like leashes, collars, extra pet food and any medications your pets take. It’s also a good idea to learn more about their unique safety needs during emergency situations. Learn ahead of time what hotels/motels are pet friendly, including if there’s a pet size or weight limit. In our experiences, knowing where you can stay with your fur-baby for the time being offers a lot of relief. There are several hotels in the Dutchess County area that happily accept pets and often, your homeowner’s insurance company can help make arrangements as well.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how flooding can impact your pet and the steps you can take to keep your pet safe during a flooding emergency.

Pet Safety Pointers:

-The FDA and the AKC offer these tips to help you handle your pet during an emergency and ensure they come out safely on the other side. The National Weather Service has some valuable info as well.

-Keep your pets with you. Don’t leave your pets outside during a flood, and don’t leave your home without them. The best way to protect your pets is to do a little pre-planning and find places where you’ll all be welcome.

-Have your pet’s important records accessible. Treat your pet’s vaccination and health records like you do other important documents and keep copies accessible in your emergency kit. It’s also a good idea to take a selfie with your pet, so you can prove ownership if you get separated.

-Make your contact information accessible. Some pets have microchips that can help rescue workers reunite them with their owners. Also, consider a collar or tag with your pet’s name, your name and your phone number on it. This will ensure you can be easily contacted. Have trusted friends or family members set up as emergency contacts in the event your pet is lost. If your pet has enough of a connection with anyone else, they can assist in the relocation efforts.

-Don’t let your pet walk through flood water. It’s not a good idea for you or your dog to walk through moving water. Even a little water (about six inches), if it’s moving quickly enough, can knock you and your pet over. Additionally, flood waters can contain dangerous debris and harmful bacteria. These waters can affect your animal just as much as it would affect you.

If your home needs restoration services due to fire, flooding, sewage or any type of damage, trust the local experts at SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County. We’ve been here to help 24/7 for any emergencies since 1992.